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UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT, question 47

Topic: Reading comprehension

Directions · Q46 to Q47

Directions for the next 2 (two) items :
Read the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers should be based solely on the passage.

Passage · Q46 to Q47

The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn—from household Chulhas to the thermal power plants. In most cases, it is biomass or coal. The Supreme Court banned the use of pet coke—the dirtiest of such fuels. The Delhi Government banned the use of coal, which was later extended to the entire National Capital Region. It was also agreed that the thermal power plants would clean up or shut down. Action on this has been patchy to say the least. The lesson from the transition to CNG is that people need alternatives for a ban to be effective. When diesel buses were stopped, CNG supply had to be assured. It also had to be feasible in terms of cost. The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel. Now even as coal is banned, the price of natural gas makes industry uncompetitive.

Q47

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Thermal power stations in Delhi were required to summarily shut down.

  2. CNG supplies had to be assured once diesel vehicles were prohibited from plying.

  3. The Supreme Court banned the use of coal across the National Capital Region.

Select the answer using the code given below.

  1. (a) 1 and 2
  2. (b) 3 only
  3. (c) 2 onlyCorrect answer
  4. (d) 2 and 3

Solution.

Answer: (c) 2 only

  1. Statement 1 is incorrect: the passage states that it was agreed thermal power plants would 'clean up or shut down', not that they were required to summarily shut down.
  2. Statement 2 is correct: the passage explicitly states that when diesel buses were stopped, CNG supply had to be assured.
  3. Statement 3 is incorrect: the Supreme Court banned pet coke, whereas the Delhi Government banned coal (later extended to the NCR).